Manchester United Next Manager Prediction and Odds

22nd April 2014

Manchester United today finally sacked beleagured manager David Moyes and have put Ryan Giggs in interim charge for the rest of the season. We take a look at the candidates to succeed Moyes and the current odds.

Louis Van Gaal – 6/4 (Coral)Van Gaal has a wealth of experience winning titles with Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich as well as managing Holland at international level. He has the experience of managing top world class players and the expectations that go with managing a massive club. His contract is up after the world cup, so he looks a decent shout.

Jurgen Klopp – 10/1 (Betfred and Coral)
Klopp has done a great job at Dortmund over the last few years, winning 2 Bundesliga titles and guiding them to a Champions League final last year. Klopp is seen as one of the best young managers in the game who gets his teams playing fast, attacking football that is pleasing on the eye. His work at Dortmund has involved signing good young players and nurturing talent, something which may appeal to the United board, however he has less experience of signing big-name players. Klopp himself has sought to distance himself from any speculation, saying he remains committed to Dortmund.

Ryan Giggs – 12/1 (Paddy Power)
Ryan Giggs has no managerial experience so far and would seem to be a big risk for the permanent role bearing in mind the expectations that go with the job. Much may depend on how he does in the 4 games he is temporary charge for, if he impresses then who knows.

Diego Simeone – 16/1 (Bet365)Simeone has done a great job at Atletico Madrid in Spain this season, with them currently topping La Liga and in the Champions League Semi-finals. He has proven himself as a top young manager, however his lack of fluent English may hold him back compared to some of the other candidates.

Carlo Ancelotti – 33/1 (Ladbrokes and Skybet)A tough one to see happening, current Real Madrid manager Ancelotti will probably come under some pressure if he can’t deliver either La Liga or the Champions League, but it’s tough to see him ending up at United.

Roberto Martinez – 33/1 (Skybet and Coral)Martinez has done a fantastic job at Everton, not only in improving on the work of David Moyes in terms of results, but also overhauling the style of play turning Everton into one of the most attractive teams to watch this season. This work won’t have gone un-noticed by United and other clubs, so he could be a lively outsider, though it seems United might want to go with a safer, more experienced pair of hands at the top level.

Sir Alex Ferguson – 33/1 (William Hill)Could Fergie come back for another couple of years? Stranger things have happened and he will be suffering more than anyone after the failure of David Moyes, who Fergie himself chose as his own replacement. If United fail to get their other big name targets then this could be a possibility, even for a year.

Antonio Conte – 40/1 (Bet365)Current Juventus manager Conte has done a very good job for them, winning Serie A titles and getting them competitive again in Europe. He is a fluent English speaker and is out of contract at Juventus, so he’s a lively outsider if Juve don’t get him tied down to a new deal.

Gary Neville – 50/1 (Paddy Power)Neville has impressed with his incisive punditry and reading of the game for Sky and has gained experience alongside Roy Hodgson as the assistant England manager, he could be an interesting contender if United want to go for a younger management team such as Neville and Giggs.

Michael Laudrup – 50/1 (Skybet and Paddy Power)Things came a little off the rails for him at Swansea by the end, but he impressed many with last season’s performances taking Swansea into Europe. He is available and also gets his teams playing in a modern, European style far away from the turgid football served up by Moyes, so he might be worth a sneaky outside punt at 50/1.